😥Washing Machine 21 years old - leaking

[Letsummercommence]

I’m very sad. My Bosch washing machine was the only thing I bought new when I had DS. I was a single mum and had a room in hostel. Literally everything else was second hand All the furniture (could only fit a two seat sofa, single bed, cot and a set of drawers in), push chairs, clothes and baby equipment was all past down from friends and family.
21 years later the rubber seal has gone. I have silicone glued it which kept it alive for 2 months but gone again.
I can get a new one but this one works fine aside from the seal. It’s so significant as “we” went through it all together.
I could buy a seal but realistically it won’t be worth it ( will it?)
I am bereft.

Buy the new seal!

Of course it's worth it, they're cheap. At some point other parts of the machine will decay away too, but the seal always does. I'm amazed it's lasted this long.

I've replaced the motor contacts twice on our Bosch and we've only had it ten years - they are consumable parts, mind. Symptom for that is the drum stops rotating while everything else appears to be fine, btw. They cost a tenner.

Seals are £50 and pretty tricky to fit yourself.
It’s another £50 plus for a plumber. And I don’t get home until 5pm so I’d be paying out of hours it weekend rates.
Thats a quarter of the price for a new machine gone. How much longer will a 21 year old machine last?

https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/advice/washing-machines/how-to-replace-a-washing-machine-door-seal-bosch.htm
I'd class that as a Very Easy fix, myself. Be less bereft, and be pleased with yourself for bringing an old friend back to life for under 10% of the cost of a new one.

I’ve changed the seal on mine recently. Probably a similar age to yours. Check out some YouTube videos, you just need to unscrew the front off the machine to gain access to the drum. I took the door off and took the opportunity to give everything a good clean. Trickiest thing was getting the steel wire ring back on the seal right at the end but managed it finally.